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: relating to or being a political representative who is elected to serve an entire area rather than one of its subdivisions
an at-large city councilor
an at-large election

Examples of at-large in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Alabama entered the weekend clinging to one of the last at-large spots in the 12-team field. Seth Emerson, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2025 The Canes went on to close their season with four-straight, dominant wins to narrowly slide in as an at-large team thanks to the Alabama Crimson Tides' 21-point loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, CBS Sports reported. Hunter Geisel, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025 The Hurricanes have a good enough resume to get an at-large berth, but to do so would probably have to surpass Notre Dame (which Miami beat early in the season) or else Alabama (badly outmatched in a 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC championship game Saturday). Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Dec. 2025 During the rankings reveal on ESPN's broadcast, CFP committee member Hunter Yurachek explained what caused Miami to jump Notre Dame on Sunday so that the Hurricanes and the Alabama Crimson Tide earned the final two at-large spots for the playoff. Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for at-large

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at-large was in 1962

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Cite this Entry

“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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